Robinair 16900 User Manual
Operating Manual
Model 16900
Refrigerant Identier
Table of Contents
Safety Precautions ............................... 2
Overview ........................................ 4
Hardware Descriptions ............................ 6
Hardware ..................................... 6
Sample Hoses ................................. 7
Power Harnesses ............................... 8
R-134a Tank Adapter Fitting ....................... 8
Storage Case .................................. 8
Operating Procedure .............................. 9
Pre-Operation Inspection ......................... 9
Operating Procedure ............................ 9
Post-Operation Procedure ....................... 13
Error Codes .................................... 14
Error Codes and Corrective Actions ................ 14
Maintenance .................................... 17
Sample Filter Replacement ...................... 17
Sample Hose Inspection and Cleaning.............. 18
Air Detection Sensor Replacement................. 19
Replacement Parts .............................. 20
Specications .................................. 21
Warranty ........................... inside back cover
16900 Refrigerant Identier 1
Safety Precautions
WARNING : To prevent personal injury:
Study, understand, and follow all warnings in this manual before operating this
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unit. If the operator cannot read these instructions, operating instructions and
safety precautions must be read and discussed in the operator’s native language.
—Si el operador no puede leer las instrucciones, las instrucciones de operación y
las precauciones de seguridad deberán leerse y comentarse en el idioma nativo
del operador.
—Si l’utilisateur ne peut lire les instructions, les instructions et les consignes de
sécurité doivent lui être expliquées dans sa langue maternelle.
The Identier is not capable of direct detection and indication of the presence of
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hydrocarbon compounds, which present a ammability hazard when present in
sufcient concentrations. Whenever the identier indicates unknown contaminants
are present, the potential exists for a hydrocarbon ammability hazard.
Operate this unit with either R-12 or R-134a refrigerant. Cross-contamination
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with other refrigerant types causes severe damage to the A/C system, to service
tools, and equipment. Do NOT attempt to adapt the unit for another refrigerant.
Do NOT mix refrigerant types through a system or in the same container.
DO NOT breathe refrigerant and lubricant vapor or mist. Exposure may
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irritate eyes, nose, and throat. Use recycling equipment certied to meet the
requirements of SAE J2210 to remove refrigerant from the A/C system. If
accidental system discharge occurs, immediately ventilate the work area. There
must be adequate ventilation in the vehicle servicing area.
When testing vehicle air conditioning systems, the vehicle ignition must be
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turned OFF. This action prevents EMI / RFI problems as well as eliminates
potential user hazards from moving parts of the vehicle.
The air detection sensor is a chemical fuel cell sensor that will eventually
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expire. The user must replace the air detection sensor whenever the instrument
indicates as such. Failure to replace the air detection sensor will result in nonfunctionality of the instrument.
Wear eye and skin protection when working with refrigerants. Escaping
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refrigerant vapors can freeze upon contact. Do NOT direct refrigerant escaping
from the sample hose toward exposed skin or toward the face.
Connection to power sources greater than 14V DC could cause “out of warran-
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ty” damage. Connection to a battery that is not fully charged, or is smaller than
a typical vehicle battery, may cause errors in reading.
If using the wall power adapter, the adapter's voltage rating must match the AC
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power source. Do NOT use a wall power adapter in areas where it could get wet.
To reduce the risk of battery explosion due to spark generation : First connect
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the RED clip to the positive 12-volt battery terminal; then connect the BLACK
clip to a metal ground location away from the battery.
2
Safety Precautions
CAUTION: To prevent equipment damage,
Sample Filter: Inspect the outside diameter of the white sample lter element before and
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after each use of this instrument. As soon as red spots begin to appear on any portion of the
white element outside diameter, the lter requires replacement. Failure to replace the lter
when so indicated may result in “out of warranty” damage to the instrument.
Sample Input: This instrument requires connection of the sample hose to the low, or vapor,
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side port of the source vehicle or refrigerant cylinder. Connection of the sample hose to
the high, or liquid, port of the source vehicle or refrigerant cylinder will result in “out of
warranty” damage to the instrument. Additionally, the low side or vapor port shall not emit
sample gas in excess of 300 psig or sample gas that contains oil or liquids.
Sample Hose: Inspect the sample hose before and after each use of the instrument.
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Immediately replace the hose if it appears cracked, obstructed, or fouled with oil.
Never use a sample hose other than those approved for use with the Identier. The use of
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other hose types may introduce errors and excessive refrigerant loss.
Verify the refrigerant source to be tested will not emit oil or liquid refrigerant before
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connecting the Identier sample hose.
Never connect the Identier to any refrigerant source that exceeds 300 psi pressure.
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Do not use the coupling supplied on the Identier R-134a sample hose for any purpose other
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than Identier sampling. The coupler supplied on the R-134a hose does not contain check
valves and will continually vent refrigerant.
Never obstruct the sample exhaust or air intakes—located on the front and top of the
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instrument—during use of this tool.
Do not throw, drop, immerse in liquid, or mistreat the instrument.
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Store the instrument in its storage case when not in use.
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Maintain the cleanliness of the instrument to prevent contamination and prolong its life.
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16900 Refrigerant Identier 3
Overview
DESCRIPTION OF THE 16900 IDENTIFIER
Contamination of refrigerant in air conditioning systems or storage
cylinders can lead to component corrosion, component destruction,
elevated system head pressure, and system failures when used by
unsuspecting technicians. The ability of a technician to determine
refrigerant type and purity is severely hampered by the presence of
air when attempting to use pressure-temperature relationships. The
development of substitute refrigerants further complicates refrigerant
identication and purity determination based on pressure-temperature
relationships.
The Refrigerant Identier provides a fast, easy, and accurate means
to determine refrigerant type and purity in refrigeration systems and
refrigerant storage cylinders. The instrument utilizes a combination of
infrared and chemical fuel cell technologies to determine purity and
contamination levels of refrigerant R-12 and R-134a, as well as air
concentrations in both refrigerant types.
The instrument is supplied in a rugged, hand-held, injection-molded,
nylon case housed in a corrugated storage case. The storage case will
also house all accessories supplied with the instrument: R-12 sample
hose, R-134a sample hose, R-134a tank adapter tting, battery power
adapter, and wall power adapter.
4
Sample gas is admitted into the instrument through the supplied sample
hose and presented to the sensing devices. The instrument provides a
digital readout of refrigerant purity, a pass or fail condition, and the
amount of contamination.
A sample is considered to be pure, or passed, if the concentration has
been determined to be 98% or greater by weight of a single refrigerant
(R-134a or R-12). The instrument also provides an indication of
unknown compounds that may be R-22, hydrocarbons, or other
refrigerants commonly used in blended refrigerant types.
Operating instructions are provided to the user through display prompts
to avoid mistakes and erroneous readings.
Overview
The Identier provides the refrigerant technician with knowledge
of refrigerant purity and protection against equipment and air
conditioning system damage resulting from contamination.
16900 Refrigerant Identier 5
Hardware Descriptions
HARDWARE
The instrument houses the following basic components required to
operate the Identier:
1. Case: An injection-molded plastic housing that contains all internal
components.
2. Hanger: Connects into the top of the case and provides the user a
means to hang the instrument above the working area for handsfree operation.
3. Sample Filter: Filters oil mists and particulate from the sample gas
admitted into the instrument to provide trouble-free function of the
detection and sampling components.
4. Control Panel: Consists of a two-line, 16-character, digital
display and two pushbutton switches. The display conveys
analysis results and instructions to the user. The switches provide
a means by which the user can communicate with the instrument
microprocessor during use.
5. Air Intake Port: Admits fresh air into the sampling system to
permit calibration of the infrared and chemical fuel cell detection
devices. Do NOT block or restrict the port hole during use of the
instrument.
6. Sample Exhaust Port: Emits sample gas that has been analyzed
by the instrument. Do NOT block or restrict this port during use of
the instrument.
7. Sample Inlet Port: Permits the connection of either an R-12 or
R-134a sample hose to the instrument.
6
Hardware Descriptions
8. Air Detection Sensor: A chemical fuel cell that detects the amount
of air contained within a refrigerant sample.
9. Control Circuit Board: Directs all activities of the instrument
through the embedded microprocessor. The infrared detection
device is also contained on this circuit board and provides all
detection of refrigerant components of the sample gas.
10. Purge Pump: Draws ambient air through the air intake port for
the purpose of detection device calibration and instrument sample
system purging.
11. Power Connector: Accepts installation of either the standard 12V
DC vehicle battery adapter, or the wall power adapter, to provide
operating power.
SAMPLE HOSES
1. R-12 Sample Hose: This is a 6-foot hose made of a nylon inner
tube surrounded by a polyurethane outer tube. The hose contains
the instrument connection tting on one end and a 1/4" SAE female
are nut on the other end. This hose is used when sampling from an
R-12 vehicle system or storage cylinder.
2. R-134a Sample Hose: This is a 6-foot hose made of a nylon inner
tube surrounded by a polyurethane outer tube. The hose contains
the instrument connection tting on one end and an R-134a low-
side coupler on the other end. This hose is used when sampling
from R-134a vehicle systems or storage cylinders.
16900 Refrigerant Identier 7
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